Alabama attorney general candidate makes his income taxes public

MONTGOMERY -- A Democratic candidate for attorney general, James Anderson, has done something few politicians in Alabama do -- make public his federal income tax returns.

The Montgomery lawyer filed copies of his 2007 and 2008 tax returns with the State Ethics Commission. Anderson is a former chairman of the Ethics Commission. He said he made his tax returns public on Friday because he believe transparency in government is essential.

His 2008 return shows his adjusted gross income was more than $321,000, and he paid nearly $75,000 in federal income taxes. He also reported more than $32,000 in gifts to charities.

One of Anderson's opponents, Mobile attorney Michel Nicrosi, says she expects to finish her 2009 tax return in the coming week and will make it public.